There is a pleasing looseness to this show and plenty of hot moments (such as Jerry cranking up the BIODTL). The free-form "space" is long and delicate and worth a listen - remember, we are not to the drums/space era yet - and the ending songs are all quite good. I personally prefer the looser sound of the band in fall 77 -> early 79 to the kind of boring May '77 sound which was honed in a corporate recording studio, which I rarely listen to

Hard for me to give less than four stars to a beautifully sounding board (I'm not too picky) with Jerry not in his 83-86 slump. It's the Dead - off-nights beat anything else going on in town. That being said, the second set sounds a bit like a rehearsal. The Dancin' never really gels and the narrator in Wharf Rat never gets to Fly Away. Truckin' peaks nicely but watch out for the coitus interuptus with the encore - Sugar Mag cuts out prior to climax. First set has its moments. I've been listening to this January California tour to see where they picked up after '77. Jerry was vocally challenged the whole time, but setting that aside, they really don't seem like the same band that burned down the house the previous year. Still, I get nostalgic thinking about them winding their way, really for the last time, through those cow towns like San Bernadino, Bakersfield, Stockton, etc. that they'd grown up playing but would not soon revisit.

Two reviews down- njeg- Take freakin pill dude. Yeah, we get it, there are people who praise any show they are listen to as the greatest..... well you know what, they have a point. They are enjoying it, in the moment, not dissecting it like a blow-hard wine snob. "Just a mediocre show...." Too many people either want or expect all of these perfect shows. It's a fucking concert, well, not just any concert, but come on, some of the critiquing on this site is ridiculous. I like the jist of the review below, you like what you like. Yes the more you listen the more you pick up. I have been listening for 32 years, but I am not going to tell someone they are wrong when they tell me what their favorite show is, (Except for the guy on the setlist page who said the Dead reached their creative pinnacle when Brent joined).

Did you ever start a review and then lose the whole thing. Dang i hate that!

I am digging this with Jerry's raspy voice and all. Phil just so high in the mix.
Just a tad more rowdy then 1977.
Also agree on 1/2 step.
I liked it as soon as I first heard it.
When they brought it back 1985 Nassau ,
I knew i was going to be seeing a bunch of shows from that point on.
Beauty of a nice Soundboard-Guys are talking "Hey I smell gas"
The place is going to blow up" Too funny!
Candyman- Got to hand it to Garcia.
determined to sing his way out of the raspy voice.
Truthfully every show before 93 is somewhere between a 4 or 5 for me.
I don't listen to many non-Soundboards although I do appreciate a good Matrix.
Are there some nights they are off- YES but if I am not in the mood i just skip a tune or perhaps drums or even the whole freakin' show, whatever just like to hear the band play. The band kept playin' ,so I kept listening that really worked for me. Anyways- Equipment malfunction break--- USED TO LOVE HER-This song has a nice bouncy lightness to it here. It became heavier over time. perhaps could just be my imagination, getting strange with me, playing games with me. Not meaning to get on anyone's case anyone who listens to a lot of Grateful Dead is going to pick up on different things that will drive you crazy over time if you let it.
From the banter on these early 1978 shows the band just seems to be having a lot of fun.
If you are in a good mood you are almost always gonna play good music.
But Can't always do that.
Jerry said ' some nights your feet itch'
Banter-You talking to Frankenstein over there?
Jerry just noodled an old tune???
Now people are calling for Edgar Winter!
B.E. Woman- Oh 1/2 step and Brown Eyed in the same set- umm good.

Jerry's voice sounding much better.
It might be the different pitch of each song.
I really do hope that there is a deadhead part of heaven,, oh sheet, that was a wipeout of the rest of B.E. Woman-dang that hurt.
The conversation stage right is perhaps somewhat sexual in nature. B.I.O.D.T.L.
Donna great for this tune! Jerry has his guitar thundering...

I liked the Lazy Lightning> Supplication which I heard awhile ago now.
I am in the middle of the Second set. I like how they took Dancin' into drums. They saved the pounding tonight for DRUMZ. (On that previous show at Shrine it was like they were pounding the whole freakin' night. That was HOT!) What i like is the more I listen the more I pick up regarding just how cool this band was musically.
KEEP YOUR LAMPS TRIM AND BURNING>>>
The jam out of drumz continued where they left it out of Dancin' Sounds like they are planning the next tune. Good they are just exploring. No pressure to head anywhere. I am guessing , yes Jerry ballad. Good choice. Jerry so well known for his guitar was also a very fine Crooner. (reference previous review-by baconbus)
I love the ensemble singing here,
I will get a new start.
live the life I should.
The Bible says,
"A live dog is better than a dead lion"
-So cool they went from Wharf Rat into TRUCKIN'
I tried to look around during this tune.
"Every now and then a moment freezes
to be remembered with tears or smiles
of when we stopped to look around for just a little while." -Chris freedom
[Got rock and roll and country music playing
you hate us,,,you just don't know what you are saying]-Neil
How fine is Bobby's vocals on this Round-x2
Jerry nice and fluid on the guitar.
Jam by Garcia so Chuck Berry!!!
and Phil ever present on that bass.
Sugar Mag!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Truckin> Around, Sugar Magnolia
I dont want to brag about you
give others ideas
trying hard to express myself
baby thats the way '
i feel.

I would dock my rating a star for the hippie drivel being dribbled by unquestioning, cultish fans. Seriously, do you people realize what a disservice you are doing the Grateful Dead with your worship? I went to shows to listen to the music, and I rate shows on how good they are and the quality of the recording, not to do any favors for people I don't even know but worship like gods. Just because something's free doesn't mean it's not worthless.

As for this "tape"...

This is a hissy recording of a very loose--though often very good--band playing a mediocre show. Certainly not a BAD show. The fact that this is an early-uploaded SBD probably means that the stream-only track info is totally unorganizable, which in my book merits -1 star, but I don't know for sure, so...

I will never, ever complain about a Half-Step. Take me across the Rio Grandi-oooooooooo anytime!

Always thought it would be cool if Jerry sang Candyman with his eyes closed and let his inner-soul-crooner out…

I don’t like Keith grinding out chords off Phil in Its All Over Now – I wish he’d have mixed it up with some runs sprinkled in here and now, like he does in BEW.

Jerry’s laryngeal voice gives August West even more gravitas than is usual…

The sound is great so it gets a five - the rest is up to taste

Good show! there are a lot worst shows out there to act like a jerk about. Jerry not being perfect makes wharf rat that much better.

Not its not as good as the Shrine shows, we get that. Thank you. Hows about reviewing THIS show? This is still a hot hot show. Jerry is on fire. This is the best Its all Over Now I've ever heard. Please someone direct me to one better than this - I haven't heard it. i don't understand some of these reviews. I agree the 1/2 Step opener is kind of weak but did u guys who gave this show bad reviews LISTEN to this Big River or BIODTL? These typical first set songs are given extremely intense and high-energy readings. Im not even a fan of most of these 1st set songs but they are all played with TONS of energy. Lots of shredding here - dont see what there is to be dissapointed in. The DITS from 1/8 gets all the attention (as it should) but this IMO is one of the better ones from this whole tour.

Slow pace, nothing stands out.

See the shrine shows for some January scorchers

recording is great, but this is just off night for the boys, it happens....

Are you hippies or yuppies. Sound like uptight yuppies man. It's a fine show. Don't be so hard on the guys.
It's not like a CD, you can't say you're "very very" disappointed. No one's giving your money back, cause it's free! This recording is a gift, first from the band and then from the archive.
And by the way I really like the 1/2 Step. Hadn't heard that phrasing before. The Big River's pretty sweet too.

Jerry completely f*cks up half step and does not wake up from whatever made him doze off until lazy lighting>supp which is really good but then they close the set out - Set II just does not rise to greatness as some of the preceding 2 weeks which kick it.... This may sound harsh and they may be burnt but just be honest - this is not what it could have been...

This show started off great for me until, Brown Eyed Woman, Very Very ticked off about the Info. on this song, but anyways great show lots of energy from the boys. would of been a five from me if BEW was in full

A very hot show! Jerry's voice is still in recovery from laryngitis but this obviously sparked his playing. Great sound.

goood sound